Council approves zoning and development package allowing some in-ground pool covers, ADUs and billboard conversions

The Fond du Lac City Council approved Ordinance 3809, which amends city code chapters related to pools and spas, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), lot sizes, accessory structures and billboards.

Community Development Director Miss Benson told council members the ordinance updates zoning and building code language to reflect new technology and housing goals. On pools, Benson said modern in-ground pool covers with weight ratings up to 450 pounds allow the city to change fence requirements for lots of 15,000 square feet or more. On accessory structures and garages, Benson said the code was adjusted to maintain proportionality between lot size and permitted accessory building size and to reflect larger modern vehicle dimensions.

On billboards, Benson said the ordinance acknowledges currently larger interstate billboards in the code so that when sign owners convert those structures to digital displays the city can require removal of multiple static signs under a mitigation process: “For every 1 new digital sign, we get rid of 2 for me to static signs,” she said. The change is intended to allow the city to reduce the number of static roadside billboards while accommodating conversions on limited interstate sites.

Benson also described a phased approach to ADUs. The ordinance creates a neighborhood mixed-use district and allows one additional dwelling unit on single-family properties that meet specified conditions; the city will start with interior ADUs or those attached to the primary structure and evaluate results before expanding allowances.

Council Member Leering expressed concern about bundling many disparate ordinance changes in a single agenda item and asked that the city consider separating items on future agendas to make them clearer to the public. “I just I don't know. I I mentioned this a week ago, or I mean, 2 weeks ago. I just think I mean, we have a lot of ordinances, and I think we we keep adding things,” Leering said. She also said some business owners could be affected by ordinance complexity and recommended clearer agenda presentation.

Several council members expressed support for ADUs as a tool to address housing availability. Mr. Mullen said he was “very happy with the addition of ADUs.” Mr. Heisler said family members would benefit from the change and praised the planning department's explanation. Mr. Zimmerman noted the ordinance differentiates manufactured homes from modular or tiny homes and confirmed manufactured homes (HUD-governed) would not qualify as ADUs under the new code.

The council approved Ordinance 3809; the motion was made by Mr. Heisler and seconded by Mr. Godfrey. The ordinance passed with Mr. Schussler recorded as voting nay; the transcript records the rest of the members voting in favor but does not list a complete roll-call tally.